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Thursday, February 16, 2012

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can

That old song is great isn't it? A little engine gets half way up a big mountain and says, "I can't go." Then a bigger engine comes by and is asked for help because the little engine is struggling to climb the big hill and the big engine says, "Don't bother me." It seems dim that the little engine is not going to make it. Then an even smaller engine shows up, hooks on, and pulls them all up the hill and says, "I think I can." Finally they reach the top and the little engine that could says, "I knew I could."

The little engine the could had something inside of it that gave it great drive and endurance. That made me think of the above text. I always say the word "do" would be better translated endure. This verse is a summary of what the apostle was just saying in regards to him having an inward sufficiency "in the Lord" (v 10) to endure life's circumstances, no matter how severe or favorable. Paul truly felt there was nothing that he and the Lord could not handle. Jesus did promise to be with us to the end. Mt 28:20 Paul had something inside of him that gave him great endurance and strength and that was the power of Christ.

We all need to be like that little engine that could. We all need to say, "I think I can" but we need to add "with Jesus." Shouldn't that be what all Christians say? When someone is having trouble climbing a hill in life the world says "I can't go" because they do not have that inner strength that God provides. Ps 18:1-3 The world will not stop and help they just say, "Don't bother me." Then Christians, the little engine that could, should come around to help while saying, "I think I can with Jesus" and show them the power of Christ in our lives. That, my friends, is letting your light shine by good works that glorify God. Mt 5:14-16 Then through Jesus we can endure and say to others, "I knew I could with Jesus."

Today, whether you are in sever or favorable circumstances you can endure them "through Him." We can rise above every circumstance we are faced with through the power and strength that Christ gives us. As we go about our day show others that we have the power of Christ inside us by blessing someone, just like the engine that could, and when they ask where you get your joy from (Jn 15:11) tell them, "My joy is made full by abiding in Jesus and I can endure all things through him that strengthens me." Let you light shine my friends!!

1 comment:

Great message Chad. In my years as a Christian and the many trials I have had to go through, I have come to apreciate that saying, what does not kill us only makes us stronger. It is only through the hard times, that we are able to find strength in God. They are specail times, for they are the times when our faith in God is exercised, and dependance on God deepens.